That got ugly fast, and then Iman Shumpert went down. So it was essentially the worst day for the Knicks. It could have been worse, but it would have taken some dark magic.

The Heat destroyed the Knicks 100-67, outscoring them 57-29 in the second and third quarters. It was total annihilation. After Tyson Chandler gave LeBron James a hard foul on the back (and LeBron flopped like his life depended on it), James ripped off a 9-0 run to end the second quarter. He hit an and-one after being slammed into on the pump fake, then sliced between two defenders and finished after contact. It was that kind of game for James. He gave the best and worst he can give, flopping to make everyone who hates him full of hatred, and playing like the best player in basketball.

Little example. LeBron and Mike Miller were on the floor together for 16 minutes Saturday. In that time, they had an offensive efficiency of over 150, and held the Knicks to an efficiency of 37.6 101 is considered good in that context. I’ve seen building demolished with less carnage.

The Knicks, on the other hand, drowned in a bucket of defense from Miami. Carmelo Anthony had 11 points on 3-15 shooting. James did that, too. Tyson Chandler was limited by foul trouble but also had trouble dealing with the Heat’s ball movement. The Heat created open looks, everything the Knicks did was contested. Miami rotated on the string. It was total and complete domination. The Knicks shot 36 percent. Their starters had a 45 percent eFG% which is downright miserable. They had 27 turnovers leading to 38 points off turnovers. They turned the ball over 23 percent of the time. More than two out of ten possessions, the just gave the Heat the ball.

So, no, the game did not go well for the Knicks.

What to improve on? Everything.

Ball movement, execution, shooting, passing, defense, rebounding, help defense, composure, aggressiveness. They need to smell better. They should call their mothers more. Basically, if there’s anything they can control, they need to do it.

This series likely won’t be like this throughout its time. But it’s also going to take a major turnaround from the Knicks. They need everything to change, and quickly. Otherwise the Garden won’t just be cheering the Knicks on in an 0-2 deficit, but a series in which no hope appears evident.

You probably answered “the Clippers.” Most fans do. So do most NBA referees — And everyone else. Which is why after a recent loss to Golden State, veteran Marreese Speight (a Warrior last season) pointed to the Clippers complaining about the officiating as part of the problem.

He went on to say that the scouting report is you can get in the Clippers’ heads by knocking them around a little. Which seems pretty obvious when you watch teams play them. Shockingly, Clippers coach Doc Rivers disagrees with that. Via NBCLosAngeles.com.

“The officiating thing, I don’t think, is our issue. I will say that,” said Rivers about the technical fouls. “If that were the problem, then, Golden State would be struggling. They’ve been No. 2 the last two years in techs, too. I think we need to point fingers in another direction than that.”

Doc may not like it, but Speights is right.

The Warriors do complain too much, but they also have a ring so more is forgiven. The problem for the Clippers is that reputation for complaining starts with Rivers — he complains as much or more than any coach in the league. Then it filters down through Chris Paul and Blake Griffin.

Is it fair that more is forgiven with winning? Moot question. Welcome to America. The Clippers complain a lot and have yet to get past the second round with this core. And at times there standing there complaining to the referees does get in the way of them getting back into defense, and they seem to go in a funk.

The Pelicans are disappointing this season — it is Anthony Davis vs. the world down there. Which is the main reason they are 7-16 this season. While things have gotten better since Jrue Holiday‘s return, Davis is averaging a league-best 31.4 points per game, it then drops off to Holiday at 15.4, and then E'Twaun Moore at 11.1.

When a team struggles, usually that is a bad sign for the coach. Not because it’s always their fault, but because GMs choose not to fire themselves for poor roster construction. Which leads to the question: Alvin Gentry, are you concerned about your job? (Warning, NSFW)

New Orleans’ struggles are not on Gentry, certainly not completely. He’d like a roster that can play uptempo, that has depth. What he got instead was a good point guard, an elite 4/5, a rookie in Buddy Hield that maybe pans out down the line, and then… nada. And the roster Gentry has often is banged up.

If anyone is in trouble, it is GM Dell Demps. Remember, Danny Ferry was hired last summer for the vague role of “special advisor.” Gentry is in his second year, and the issue is the roster he was given. But the Pelicans are a patient organization that values continuity, so… who knows. But the clock is ticking on Davis;, it’s years away, but the Pelicans need to build a team around him and are far from that right now.

Jones told the Beacon Journal he will retire after next season, which will be his 15th in the NBA. His ultimate dream is to ride off after three consecutive championships in Cleveland

“I know playing 15 years is a number where I can look back and I can be like, ‘I accomplished something,’ ” Jones said. “Fourteen vs. 15 may not be much, but to be able to say I played 15 years, that’s enough for me to hang ’em up.”

Jones’ contract expires after the season, so the Cavs will have a say in whether he returns. Safe to say if LeBron wants him back, Jones will be back.

But the Heat got into trouble relying on washed-up veterans around LeBron, wasting valuable roster spots on players who could no longer contribute.

Is that Jones? Not yet. Though he’s out of the rotation, he has still made 11-of-12 open 3-pointers this season. There’s a role for him as spot-up shooter when Cleveland needs one.

Still, the Cavaliers ought to be mindful of Jones’ likely decline over the next year and a half. Plus, it’s not a certainty he holds to his timeline. Cavs veterans have a history of changing their mindon retirement.